Sheet-manipulating mechanism.



H. A. W. WOOD.

SHEET MANIPULATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1905.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

6 SHEEIS-SHEET l.

ENTOR if ELM/5e WM,

8) 1w ATTOHNE rs v i f w lkm H. A. W. WOOD.

SHEET MANIPULATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION PILEDNOV.15,1905.

1 13mm. Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

G SHEETS'SHEET 2 WITNESSES. INVENTOH 7'0 .241? Wis 6mm 8) ma ATTOBNEW I, j

H. A. W. WOOD.

SHEET MANIPULATING MECHANISM. APPLiGATION FILED NOV. 15, 1905.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W/TNESSES: I INVENTOF W/QQZM M .71 M050 Mam? (18- f B) HIS ATTOHNEYJ 7 m H. A. W. WOOD.

SHEET MANIPULATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.15,,1905.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

6 SHEET$-SHBET 4.

7%. 8)!175 ATTOHNEW 7 H. A. W. WOOD. 7

SHEET MANIPULATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1905.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

'6 SHEETSSHEET U.

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W iin i lllll WITNESSES: INVENTOR BY ///9 ATTOHNE m W1 H. A. W. WOOD.

SHEET MANIPULATING' mcmmsm. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1905. l flfifi fifim Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Wm. Q M BY Hi5 ATTORNEYS W 't rrsnw'onn, or new some, rain, assist-ion re ween a names canteens,

or new runs, n. m, a cbneonarron' or new roan.

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l b all whom item?) concern a lite itlmownthat i Henna A. Wis Woes, citizen of the United States, and a resident of Flew York, in the county of New York and State of Flew York, have invented cernew and useful Sheet-Manipulating hfechanism of which the following is a specificatipn. C

The ohyect of this invention is provide new improved manipulating mecharegister. ll/leans are also provided whereby the grippers are lifted and held away from the face of the laten as they are moved orer the same and whereby the grippers are allowed to move back toward the platen when the impression is made.

The invention further consists of certain combinations hereinafter-described and churned, which will be understood from a detail description of the mechanism.

'Fhe invention is illustrated in the ac companying six sheets of drawings.

Referring to these drawings and in detail, Figure l is a side elevation of a mechanism arranged to embody my invention. Fig. 2 is an end View thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. i is a similar view taken on the line tt of Fig. 2. Fig. 4i" is a detail view illustrating the action the grippers when. they take the sheet; Fig. t is a detail view illustrating the lifting of a gripping mechanism as it passes over the platen. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the construction of gri )pers. Fig. 6 is 'a plan view thereof. Fig. l and Fig. 8 are a side elevation and a plan of one of the parts of the gripper mechanism hereinafter described. illustrating the construction of the links of tlpecltlcatton ti than 'ltateut.

Figs. 9 and 10 are similar views 'lratented Pillar. 3th ftllfd.

.ttppltentlon filed f lot emhcr it, with. ticrial Ito. t t't/lBt.

the chains which carry the grippers. Fig. it is a side elevation of a modification herenafter described.

Referring to the first five sheets of drawlngs. the mechanism therein illustrated will be described. The mechanism is mounted in side frames l0-l0 which may be tied together, if desired. dournaled in these side frames is a driving shaft if on which may be arranged the usual tight and loose pulleys 12 and 13 for imparting power to the machine. Finions l-llld are secured on the driving shaft it and mesh with large gears lei-l5 arranged on the operating shaft 16 of the machine. A. shaft 17 is fitted in the frames l0lt) and pivoted on the same are powerful levers or frames 18l8 which carry the usual chase and furniture so that a form or forms can be locked in proper position to cooperate with the platen F. 'ilhe platen F is hung on shaft 27 and strikes against bracket 270 as shown in Fig. 4. This construction also afiords a convenient means whereby the platen may be turned flat or into horizontal position for makin ready. An inking mechanism ll, of any 0' the usual types is arranged between the levers or frames 18- 18. This inking mechanism is arranged as is couunien in platen printing presses so that the form inking rollers will travel down over and ink the form or forms when they are retracted or moved away from the platen F. I The large gears do carry wrist-pins 19-19 which are. connected by links or pitmen 20-20 to shaft 21 on the frames 1818. The shaft 21 is made eccentric in the manner common in platen printing presses so as to constitute a throw-ed mechanism; that is, so that when the shaft is in one position as the frame is moved up toward the platen, it willnot contact therewith and so that when the shaft is in the other position when the frame is moved up, it will contact with the platen and print the sheet.

As shown in the drawings, the shaft 21 is in the printing position, it being understood of course, that when the form is to he tripped, the shaft is moved to its other position by means of mechanism commonly employed in platen printing presses.

The sheet manipulating mechanism consists of two chains (,C made up in principal part of the usual links. These chains are.

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trained over sprockets 2222 mounted on a shaft 23 journaled in the frame, over sprockets Q L-Zl mounted on a shaft journaled in the frames, over sprockets 26-26 secured on a shaft 27 journaled in the frames, and over sprockets 28-23 secured on a shaft 29 journaled in the frames. Shafts and 29 can be studs with loose sprockets if desired. The chains carry a series of gripper mechanisms. there being as many gripper mechanisms as the chains are sheet lengths in extent. For example, in the drawings shown, the chains are made of a length corresponding to seven sheet lengths plus the necessary clearance between each set of gripper mechanism and seven sets of gripper mechanisms are arranged between the chains. The sheets are fed to the gripper mechanisms down a suitable feed-board or guides 30. An automatic feeder may be arranged in connection with the machine or the sheets may be fed by hand. The details of the feeding mechanism form no part of the present invention and therefore are not illustrated or described at length. The sheets may be fed from the position indicated at S for an underneath feed or from the position indicated at S for a top feed.

Two delivery tables D and D are arranged between the frames at the positions indicated on relatively opposite sides of the chains. upper delivery table 1) they will be delivered printed side up. If they are delivered on the lower delivery table D, they will be delivered printed side down. The sheets can be delivered on either table, as desired, by the mechanism hereinafter described and this constitutes an important point in connection with the invention.

Each delivery table is provided with a set of the usual stop fingers 31 to position the sheets as they are delivered. The chains are given an intermittent movement in the same direction. equal to thedistance betweeneach set of gripper mechanism, by the following means: A cam is arranged on the operating shaft 16 and engaging the same is a roller 33 secured on an arm 3-1 which latter is connected by a link 35 to a rack 36 which is fitted to slide vertically in suitable guides. a spring 37 being employed to keep the roller 33 in engagement with the cam 32. The rack 36 engages a pinion 38 loosely mounted on the shaft '25. This pinion car ries a spring-pressed pawl 39 which cooperates with a ratchet-wheel 40 tightly secured on the shaft 25. By this arrangement, as the rack 36 moves down, the pawl 39 will run over the ratchet-wheel 40 but on the upward movement of the rack 36. the pawl will operate the ratchet-wheel and turn the shaft 25. By this arrangement, the chains will be intermittently advanced. a

The mechanism is timed and arranged to If the sheets are delivered on the,

operate when the frame is retracted from the platen and sons to give a movement to the chains equal to the distance between the sets of gripper mechanisms.

The gripper mechanisms are the same in construction and one will now he described in detail and reference to follow such dc scription should be had in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive. A pair of the inner links of the chain directly opposite each other is constructed, so as to have a boss 41 and extending arm 42 in which is secured a pin 4-3 and a projection l4, it being understood of course. that these parts come on the inner side of each of the links. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) Driven into the bosses 41 are studs 15 and pivoted on these studs are gripper carrying bars 46. shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the gripper carrying bars being kept in place on the studs 45 by collars and screws. The gripper bars have projections or stops 17 which are arranged to strike against the projections 4- on the links to determine the normal position of the gripper mechanism. These projections are kept in contact with the gripper bars in their normal positions by means of springs 48 arranged between the pins 43 of the inner links of the chain and pins 49 driven into the sides of the gripper bars, the springs 48 being housed in suitable sockets pivoted on the pins 4.3 and 49. By this arrangement, the gripper mechanism hereinafter described, can be lifted or turned about the studs 45 as pivots but it is kept in normal position by said springs 48. Secured between the gripper bars 46 is a gripper jaw 50 made up of a piece of flat metal. A shaft 51 is journaled in bearings formed in the ends of the gripper bars 46-46-and a series of gripper fingers 52 are secured on the shaft 51. Stops 53 are secured to the gripper jaw 50 so that when the sheet is fed to the gripper mechanism it may be properly positioned. These are preferably adjustable. Secured on the shaft 51 just inside its bearing in the gripper bars, is a lever 13% which carries a roller 55. The gripper fingers are kept normally in contact with the gripper jaw by means of a spring 56. The lever 54 projects upwardly, as well as downwardly and the spring 56 is arranged between a pin 57 secured in the upward part of the lever 5t and a pin 58 secured, in the gripper bar 46. A pin or stud 59 is driven into a post extending down from each gripper bar 46 and a roller 60 is journaled on each pin for a purpose hereinafter noted.

- To lift the gripper fingers so that the sheet may be seized for manipulation, the following mechanism is provided: A cam lever 61 (Fig. 4) is pivoted on the inside of one of the frames. This cam lever is operated by a link 62 connected with a doublepronged lever 63, which lever carries a roller inaaaaa tit hearing on a cam 65 secured on the operating shaft 16 ot the machine. The cam 65 is proportioned and arranged so that when the chains come to rest the gripping fingers will be raised as shown in Fig. 4t, so that the sheet can he ted in on to the gripper jaw in registration with the stops 53 and so that when the sheet has been ted into this position, the gripper fingers will close down on to the gripper jaw and seize the sheet tor manipulation, all while the chains are stationar so that at the neat movement of the Ell chains, it will he carried "forward down over the platen P. lBy opening the gripper tingers only just before the sheet is to be led, the necessity tor providing special means for lreeping them open during the travel ot the carrier is avoided. This secures an eitcellent register. lit is desirable to move the gripper mechanisms over the lace oi the platen P without contact therewith but to allow the gripper mechanisms to come down into the same plane as the lace of the platen when the impression is to be made. This is the purpose ot pivoting the gripper mechanisms on the chains as before described and the tollowing mechanism is arranged to turn the gripper mechanism in the chains as it passes over the face of the platen: Secured on a shaft 660 so as to stand at each side oil the platen P are blade cams 66, one at which has an extending lever 67 provided with a roller 68 hearing on a cam 69 secured on the operating shaft 16 ot the machine. The blade earns 66 are set in position to cooperate with the rollers it so that when the gripper mechanism moves over the upper edge ot the blade cam it will be held out train the platen and the cam 69 is so an ranged that the blade cams will be thrown out relatively to the platen as each gripper mechanism moves down across. the platen, whereby the gripper mechanism will be moved clear 0 moves over the same, as shown in Fig. 4", and whereby when the gripper mechanism is moved down over the platen, the same can drop to'proper position to come substantially in line with or in the same plane as the lace at the platen whereby the impression can be made on the sheet without any pinchin, or creasing ot the paper.

lt is also extremely desirable to register the chains as the rinting is done. For this purpose pins 70, shown in Fi g. 6, which connect the links of the chain at the points where the gripper mechanisms are carried, are extended to form registering pins. lFitted to slide in suitable soclrets are bars 71 which have socketing or tapering mouths 710, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of these bars carries a pin 72 which fits in apivoted lever 73. Dne of these pivoted levers carries a roller 7t which works on a cam 75 secured on the shaft 16 of the machine. This cam is the face of the platen as itso arranged that when the chain comes to rest, the bars 71 will move up and the notched or tapering months 710 of the same will engage the registerin 9 pins 70 and thus register the gripping mec ianism that is below the platen so that the impression will be made in the proper position on the sheet and so that any irregularities or slaclr in the chains will be compensated tor.

Atter the sheets have been printed, they will he carried by the movement ot the chains before described out over the delivery tables D and D. H it is desired to deliver the sheets on the table D with their printed.

sides down, cam 76 is secured to the side frame in position to coiiperat/e with the roller 55 so that as the chains come to rest, the grippers which are at the left of the delivery table D will he opened and the sheet allowed to settle down on the delivery table. This delivery can talre place very easily and accurately as the grippers open substantially as the chains come to rest. Dn the other hand it it is desired to deliver the sheets on the delivery table D printed side up, cam 76 is removed trom the position previously described-and set at the right of the delivery table D. The delivery then takes place substantially as previously described except that the sheets are delivered the other side up. Either method of deliverycan he adopted by setting the cam 76 to coiiperate with the proper delivery table. Thus by this mechanism, sheets are taken, carried over the platen, brought in line or in the. same plane as the platen, registered in proper position, printed, carried forward, and delivered either side up as desired. By using this sheet manipulating mechanism in connection with the automatic feeder, a very rapid and accurately working printing mechanism is provided.

in some cases it is not necessary to arrange the machine for delivering the sheets both ways and when it is not desired, the machine can be somewhat simplified, as illustrated in Fig. ll. v

As shown in Fig. it, the mechanism is arranged substantially as before described except that the delivery table D is omitted and the delivery table D alone provided so that the sheets are delivered printed side down. For this arrangement, the sprockets 28-428 and the shaft 29 can be omitted and the machine may be more compact. This arrange ment allows for the convenient use ot a top side feeding mechanism.

ln some instances it may be desirable to move the chains so as to carry the sheets up over the platen and this arrangement, while within the scope ot the broad claims made in this application, is specifically shown, described and claimed in a companion application tor patent tiled January 22, 1906, Serial No. 297,327.

hit

llltt llllti Manyothermodifications may be worked out! and: other mechanisms may be devised by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope oiithe invention as expressed a; in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what ll claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. A sheet manipulating mechanism for in a printing. press, comprising a carrier, a gr pper mechanism thereon, independently movable means for holding said gripper mechanism away from the impression surfaceef: the press as it passes through the press, and for permitting its retraction when it reaches the end thereof to allow the sheet to come on the impression surface during impression.

2; A sheet manipulating mechanism,

29. comprising a. carrier, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged thereon, means for moning said carrier, a printing mechanism through which the carrier is adapted to move the sheets, and movable means for moving-each gripper-mechanism away "from the. impression surface of the printing mechanism as it passes through the same and-for allowing the gripper mechanism to come -in:linewith the impression surface at) during the impression.

. 3. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising a carrier, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged in the carrier, means for intermittently advancing the carrier, a

K d-platen printingmechanism through which the manipulating mechanism carries the sheets, and movable means for moving each gripper mechanism away from theface of the platen as it passes over the same and Mt-for allowing the same to come. in line with the platen during impression.

4. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising-a carrier, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged in the carrier, means "for intermittently advancing the carrier, :1 plateniprinting mechanism through which the manipulating mechanism carries the sheets, and means for registering the carrier with the platen for each impression,

5% 'comprising: a slide having a tapering mouth.

5. A sheet-manipulating mechanism, comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier, a printing mechanism through which the carrier moves, and means for registering the carrier with the printing mechanism for each impression, said means comprising a stud on the carrier, a slide having a tapering mouth adapted to engage and center said stud, and means for intermittently reciprocating said slide.

6. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising-two chains, a series of gripper mechanisms pivoted in the chains, means for intermittently advancing the chains. a

mea -sea platen printing mechanism through which the manipulating mechanism carries the sheets, movable means for turning each gripper mechanism on its pivot as the same passes over the face of the platen, and means for allowing the movable means to rccede with the gripper mechanism when the latter reaches the end of the platen.

7. A sheet manipulatingmechanism comprising two endless chains, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged in the chains, means for intermittently advancing the chains, a printed mechanism through which the manipulating mechanism carries the sheets, two delivery tables arranged on relatively opposite sides of the chains, and means whereby the grippers may be operated to deliver the sheets on either table as desired, whereby the sheets may be delivered either printed side up or printed side down.

8. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising a carrier, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged in the carrier, means for I intermittently advancing the carrier in one direction, a, platen printing mechanism through which the manipulating mechanismcarries the sheets, and means for holding the gripper mechanism away from the platen of the printin mechanism and then bringing it in tower the same so that the sheet may aline with the'platen during impression.

9. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising a chain, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged on'the chain, a shaft for advancing the chain, means for intermittcntly rotating the shaft, and constantly rotating means independent of said shaft for opening the grippers when the shaft is stationary and before it commences to rotate.

10. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising an endless chain, a series of gripper mechanisms carried thereby, an operating shaft, a shaft for advancing the chain, means for intermittently rotating the last named shaft from the operating shaft, and means for operating the grippers from said operating shaft when the other shaft is stationa and before it commences to advance. 1x5

11. n a sheet manipulating mechanism, the combination of an endless chain, a gripper mechanism carried thereby, comprising grippers, means for intermittently advancing the chain in one direction, means for 120 opening the grippers when the chain is stationary and-before it commences to advance, and means for thereafter closing the grippers while the chain is still stationary and before it commences to advance.

1-2. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising two chains, :1 series of gripper mechanisms arranged in the chains, a platen means for intermittently advancing the chains relatively to the platen, and means 13) ll ll iaaanaa for holding each gripper mechanism away from the face of the platen as it passes over the same comprising blade cams arranged at the sides of the platen.

13. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising two chains, a series of gripper mechanisms pivoted in the chains, a platen, means for intermittently advancing the chains relatively to the platen, and means for turning each gripper mechanism as it passes over the face of the platen comprising cam actuated blades pivoted at the sides of the platen.

it. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising two chains, a series of gripper mechanisms pivoted in the chains, a platen, means for intermittently advancing the chains relatively to the platen, and means tor turning each gripper mechanism on its pivot as the same passes over the face of the platen comprising blades pivoted at the sides at the platen, cams actuated to operate said blades, and rolls on each gripper mechanism.

1 .5. ll sheet manipulating mechanism comprising two chains, series oi? gripper er intermittently advancing the chains a en printing mechanism through which is manipulating mechanism carries the sheets, and means for registering the chains ehanisms arranged in the chains, meanswith the platen for each impression cemprisingpins carried hy the chains and cam actuated notched registering bars arranged at the sides of the platen.

16. A sheet manipulating mechanism comprising two endless chains, a series of gripper mechanisms arranged in the chains, means for intermittently advancing the chains, which the manipulating mechanism carries the-sheets, two delivery tables arranged on relatively opposite sides of the chains, and a cam which may he placed in either one oil two positions so that the sheets may he delii'ered on either table as desired.

17. lhe combination with a series of gripper mechanisms, of a platen, means for moving the gripper mechanisms over the platen, and means for turning each gripper mechanism as it passes over the face of the platen, said means comprising a hlade pivoted at the side of the platen, and means for swinging the blade.

Signed at Nevv- York, in the county of New York and dtate of New York this lath day of November, A. D. 1905.

H. A. W UQUD.

Witnesses v PAUL nl'a'rnian lsannnna W. l near.

a printing mechanism through hill 

